About the Beds

This rare pair of Modernist tubular steel single beds was made in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. Combining chrome-plated steel frames with warm beech headboards and footboards, the beds reflect the functional clarity and material experimentation of early European Modernism.

Although the manufacturer has not been conclusively identified, the design is closely related to the AB14 tubular steel bed produced by the Gottwald company. It also shares characteristics with Thonet’s L5 bed and the Model 1003 produced by Vichr & Company.

This particular version is distinguished by the continuous bent-steel detail running along the lower edge of both the headboard and footboard. This unusual element gives the otherwise restrained construction a subtle sculptural quality and appears only rarely among comparable surviving examples.

The beds can be used independently as two single beds or positioned together to create a unified double bed approximately 180 cm wide. Their clean lines and adaptable arrangement make them particularly suitable for a Modernist, Bauhaus-inspired or contemporary interior.

The price is for the complete pair.

Origin: Czechoslovakia
Period: 1930s
Manufacturer: Attributed to Gottwald
Materials: Chrome-plated tubular steel and beech wood
Style: Czechoslovak Modernism / Functionalism
Comparable models: Gottwald AB14, Thonet L5 and Vichr Model 1003

Condition & Restoration

Both beds are in good vintage condition and have been carefully checked and prepared for use in our Brno workshop.

The tubular steel frames retain an authentic patina, with areas of wear and ageing to the chrome consistent with approximately ninety years of use. The wooden headboards and footboards also show gentle signs of age that contribute to their original character.

The beds retain their steel-mesh bases. Both structures are stable and ready for use.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description. We are also happy to provide additional photographs or information before purchase.

Dimensions

Dimensions of each bed:

Width: 90 cm
Length: 190 cm
Overall height: 90 cm
Height of bed base: 30 cm

Combined width when placed together: approximately 180 cm

Delivery & Returns

The beds will be carefully prepared and transported from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.

EU delivery: €280, confirmed at checkout

Because of their size, the beds will normally be transported by a trusted specialist furniture carrier. Delivery times and arrangements depend on the destination, and we will contact you to coordinate the details.

We also deliver worldwide. Please contact us for a tailored shipping quotation outside the EU.

Choosing vintage furniture already helps extend the life of a well-made object. To further reduce the environmental impact of delivery, we support reforestation projects through Tree-Nation by funding the planting of trees for our shipments.

EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

If you would like to check anything before ordering - from condition and construction to dimensions and delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help throughout the process and after your beds have arrived.

Why Buy from Barnabas

Original vintage furniture sourced in former Czechoslovakia

Each piece carefully checked and restored where required

Manufacturer and designer attributions researched and stated conservatively

Original labels, construction details and markings documented wherever possible

Based in Brno, Czech Republic

Worldwide delivery

Established in 2016

Design Note

Tubular steel transformed European furniture design during the late 1920s and 1930s. Designers including Mart Stam and Marcel Breuer explored how industrial materials and continuous metal lines could produce furniture suited to the emerging language of Modernist architecture.

Czechoslovak manufacturers became important participants in this development. Companies including Gottwald, Vichr, Slezák, Mücke-Melder and Thonet produced tubular steel furniture for progressive domestic interiors, hospitals, offices and public buildings.

These beds express the central principles of that movement: economical construction, visual lightness, functional versatility and the honest use of modern materials. The contrast between the precise chrome-plated frames and warmer wooden panels softens their architectural character without introducing unnecessary ornament.

Surviving pairs are considerably less common than individual beds. Preserved together, these examples offer both a practical furnishing solution and an evocative document of interwar Czechoslovak Modernist design.

Practical Information

The beds may be used separately as two single beds or placed together to form a double bed approximately 180 cm wide.

Mattresses and bedding are not included. As dimensions can vary between vintage and contemporary bed frames, we recommend confirming the internal mattress measurements with us before ordering new mattresses.

If you would like to discuss mattress compatibility, access requirements, delivery or installation before purchasing, please contact us. We will be happy to provide any additional measurements or practical information you require.